The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is demanding explanations from the Israel Defense Forces following several “shocking violations” including a forced entry into a UN stronghold in southern Lebanon this morning.
“At around 4:30 a.m., while the peacekeepers were in a shelter, two Israeli Defense Force Merkava tanks destroyed the main gate of the position and forcibly entered the position,” UNIFIL said in a statement. “They made multiple requests to turn off the lights on the base. The tanks departed about 45 minutes later after UNIFIL protested through our liaison mechanism that the IDF presence was endangering peacekeepers.”
Approximately two hours later, UNIFIL reported that several shots were fired 100 meters to the north, causing smoke and 15 peacekeepers affected, suffering from dermatitis and gastrointestinal reactions.
“Furthermore, yesterday, Israeli Defense Forces soldiers blocked important UNIFIL logistics movements near Meis Jebel, denying them passage,” UNIFIL said. “Important exercise could not be completed.”
UNIFIL reminded the IDF of its obligation to “ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property and to respect at all times the inviolability of United Nations facilities.”
The IDF disputed this account, saying that during “the entire course of the incident” “IDF operations posed no danger to UNIFIL forces.”
The Israeli Defense Forces said in a statement that two of its troops were seriously injured when their troops came under heavy anti-tank missile fire in southern Lebanon.
“Initial investigations revealed that an IDF tank attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers under artillery fire retreated several meters into a UNIFIL post,” the IDF said. “After the enemy fire stopped and the wounded soldiers were evacuated, the tanks left the camp.”
The Israel Defense Forces said the military used smoke screens to screen the evacuation of soldiers and maintained coordination with UNIFIL.
